Tourist Dies After Being Swept Away While Taking Photos at Beach, Sparking Fear

"Even if the sea looks calm, you must not let your guard down."

On June 17, high waves suddenly surged toward Hajodae Beach in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province.

A Coast Guard rescuer standing on the shore instantly lost his balance and was swept out to sea.

Moments later, another rescuer on a motorized rescue board cut through the rough currents to reach and rescue the drowning person.

Although it was a reenactment rather than an actual accident, the atmosphere on-site was tense.

The Donghae Regional Coast Guard Headquarters organized the event on this day to raise awareness about the dangers of coastal accidents ahead of the peak summer season.

The event reenacted common types of accidents on the east coast, such as swell waves, steep underwater terrain, and snorkeling mishaps, under realistic conditions.

In particular, the swell wave demonstration most intuitively illustrated the dangers of the ocean.

Though the sea appeared calm on the surface, an unexpected large wave crashed in, instantly dragging the rescuer underwater.

Swell waves are waves generated by strong winds in the open sea that travel all the way to the coast.

Even when the weather is clear and the wind is weak, sudden high waves can crash and drag people out to sea, making it difficult for vacationers to perceive the danger.

Even skilled swimmers find it difficult to escape when caught in strong rip currents and waves.

Indeed, on June 6, a tourist taking photos at Yeongjin Beach in Gangneung died after being swept away by a swell wave.

The demonstration of the steep underwater terrain highlighted the geographical hazards unique to the east coast.

A scenario was staged where the water suddenly became too deep to touch the bottom, even just a few steps away from the beach.

Losing one's balance in the waves can result in being instantly swept into deep water, which can be fatal for children or vacationers who are poor swimmers.

The snorkeling accident reenactment introduced various risk factors, including cardiac arrest, hypothermia, rip currents, and equipment malfunction.

The Coast Guard repeatedly emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets and the rule of traveling in groups of two or more.

An improved rescue suit designed to secure the golden hour for rescue was also unveiled at the scene.

The rescue suit, which is easier to put on and offers greater mobility than existing gear, is currently being piloted at five stations under the Donghae Regional Coast Guard.

Rescuers wearing the improved suits demonstrated lifesaving techniques using motorized rescue boards.

Attendees watched intently as rescuers quickly approached and saved the drowning person amid the swell waves.

At the end of the event, reporters entered the water themselves to experience the dangers of coastal accidents firsthand.

They agreed that it was difficult to even maintain balance against the unexpectedly strong currents, and that they felt a sudden wave of terror even in water that was only waist-deep.

According to the Donghae Regional Coast Guard, 330 coastal accidents occurred within its jurisdiction over the past three years (2023–2025), resulting in 82 deaths.

The Donghae Regional Coast Guard is responsible for waters ranging from Goseong County in Gangwon Province to parts of Gyeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province.

Among these, 64.5% or 213 cases (resulting in 56 deaths) were concentrated during the peak summer season between June and September.

In terms of fatal accidents, drowning while swimming accounted for the largest share, with 37 deaths (66%).

By location, beaches accounted for 35 deaths (63%).

By time of day, 77% of all fatalities (43 people) occurred between 12:00 and 18:00, when vacationers are most concentrated.

Kim In-chang, chief of the Donghae Regional Coast Guard, urged, "The East Coast in summer harbors invisible dangers such as swell waves and steep underwater terrain, where a single moment of carelessness can lead to an irreversible accident. When visiting the sea, please make sure to wear a life jacket and strictly follow basic safety rules."

He added, "The Coast Guard will actively support the training of safety personnel before and after the opening of beaches. We will significantly strengthen patrols during high-risk hours to make the East Sea a safe place that the public can visit with peace of mind."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.